Inner geometry

Author

Susan Jane Wadle, University of Northern Iowa

Availability

Open Access Thesis

Keywords

Drawing, American;

Abstract

The body of my work indirectly offers parallels to the most ancient usage of the word "geometry" known, that of the "earth-measurement" practices of the Egyptians and Babylonians. Such practices were in response to the needs of everyday living. Although the later introduction of deductive geometry by the Greeks evolved into more complex and intellectual formulas, I felt a richer vein could be tapped by exploring geometry's earliest province: "earth-measurement."

The earth has infinitely warmer, more emotional connotations to me than do the colder geometric formulations that rise in the intellectual air above the ground. Consequently, geometry's earliest definition of "earth-measurement" more clearly aligned with my nature than the more sterile definitions of contemporary geometry. For me, an "inner land measurement" became not only an artistic direction but evolved into an emotional necessity as well. Realizing that air is as critical a component to existence as the warmth symbolically held within the earth itself, I sought a reconciliation using the following process:

Step #1. To accommodate the intellectual level I sketched a series of tight, linear configurations, each one representing a specific time, place, event or sometimes crossing over and invading another.

Step #2. To create a bridge meeting the more emotive level, I used a soft graphite pencil to develop a safety net of light and dark contrasts within each of these separate and overlapping configurations.

Step #3. A meeting between the emotive and intellectual levels was achieved by the use of a tool that took on a totally unexpected tone. Although it formerly seemed relatively innocuous, it now evolved into an agent of transformation sheltering within it a strong spirituality which powerfully ignited startling, catalytic changes within the work: the simple, commonplace eraser (see Slides #12, #13, and #14).

This simple tool not only transformed the strictly intellectual setting into one that was highly emotive (with strong Abstract Expressionistic surface treatment), it also, if one allowed it to do so, offered many unexpected gifts. Relatively uncensored erasings, sometimes with a touch of a linear or painterly quality, lent immediate associative meanings. Those that seemed more reluctant to offer their secrets, given a little time and open-faced honesty, later revealed surprising meanings. It became evident that any measure of censoring was to be avoided as it only served as an obstructive force, placing too much critical distance between me and any revealed symbolic messages the work came to offer. My initial motivation was to traverse the inner landscape of my own inner geometry merely to explore the territory. Before I realized it I had developed more than a nodding acquaintance with the earliest of mathematical texts, "Directions for obtaining the knowledge of all dark things.'' My work suddenly became a rather dark mystical journey as I found myself carrying on what appeared to be a conversation with my deepest self (see Slide #5).

Art is not just picture-making. It has the ability to transform. It is like the freedom of dreams wherein symbols and transformation occur with an intense constancy. Both speak to me in a very compassionate and tender fashion. No arbiter stands to condemn or frighten. Gentle invitations, and yes, sometimes ambiguous ones at that, invite one to embrace all parts of oneself. Fragmentation takes place only when one chooses not to look too closely. Yet if one does examine all aspects of the self the promise of reward is great. Self-acceptance, forgiveness, and the r overall insight that harmony exists reunite chaos. Dreams and art, in these associate or emotive drawings, act masterfully as both parables and kindly benefactors. They invite the exploration of an inner geometry.

An exhibition of this studio thesis was held April 28 through May 10, 1986, in the Department of Art Gallery at the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Year of Submission

1986

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Department of Art

First Advisor

frje echeverria, Chairman

Comments

List of Slides:

1. She Found Being in a Secondary Position Untenable, 1985, graphite and eraser, 22" x 28".
2. Burning Symbols, 1986, graphite and eraser, 24" x 19".
3. A Meeting of the Self, 1986, graphite and eraser, 24" X 19".
4. Fields of Tenderness, 1986, graphite and eraser, 24" X 19".
5. Convoluted Inheritance, 1985, graphite and eraser, 24" X 19".
6. Why Must the Taste of Paradox Be Bittersweet?, 1986, graphite and eraser, 24" x 19".
7. We All Spoke of such Inane Things While Waiting Our Turn, 1986, graphite and eraser, 24" x 19".
8. Anger Recognized, 1986, graphite and eraser, 24" x 19".
9. de Kooning's Child by Symbolic Inheritance, 1986, graphite and eraser, 24" x 19".
10. Enigmatic Environments, 1986, graphite and eraser,24" X 19". 11. Why Must I Deny Who I Am to Maintain This Charade?, 1986, graphite and eraser, 24" x 19".
12. Phantom Father and Hieroglyphic Mother, 1986, graphite and eraser, 24" x 19".
13. If I Press My Ear to the Sounds of the Fetal Heartbeats I'll Understand Her Composition, 1986, graphite and eraser, 24" x 19".
14. Leo's Hope, 1986, graphite and eraser, 24" x 19".
15. Bless Us Father for We Have All Sinned, 1986, graphite and eraser, 24" x 19".
16. Kept Secrets and Healing Forces, 1986, graphite and eraser, 24" x 19".
17. Ser Hut Mir Fardrossin: So Much and So Little, 1986, graphite and eraser, 24" x 19".

Date Original

1986

Object Description

1 PDF file (ii, 2 pages)

Copyright

©1986 Susan Jane Wadle

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

Recommended Citation

Wadle, Susan Jane, "Inner geometry" (1986). Dissertations and Theses @ UNI. 1079.
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/etd/1079